Konkai Kōmyō-ji Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

The Temple belongs to Pure Land Sect of the Buddhism, and it is free of charge for the entrance admission, even though it is a Temple full of beauty, Buddhist deity statues, well-maintained garden and trees, and worshipping halls.

Main Gate of the Temple is rather similar to the main gate of Nanzenji Temple, when their main gates are all sturdy, with double, thick wood doors and supported by tall and big round column.

It seems that the Temple supports the deceased families for the funeral and other related services, and there are large spaces of burial grounds for the deceased in different areas...

借用Charles Dickens於《A Tale of Two Cities》的起始名句來形容日本「幕末風雲」再也恰當不過：

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair……

「黑船來航」事件，迫使長期鎖國的江戶幕府（德川幕府）開放日本國家門戶。

看到江戶幕府面對「黑船來航」的手足無所措，日本有志之士開始反思國家的未來發展。從此，年輕、熱血、理想性又飄著濃濃血腥味的「幕末風雲」揭開序幕。

過程中引動了「尊王攘夷」與「公武合體」兩派的政治鬥爭。

「尊王攘夷」：主張擁護天皇，由天皇親自主政。

「公武合體」：主張以天皇為首的朝廷（公家）與德川幕府（武家）雙方合作，共同改造幕府，持續擁護由德川幕府主政。

兩派人士，都是為了日本的國家前途，篤信己方的信念，甚至賭上性命也在所不惜。這段期間，雙方都培養劍道高手、殺手，暗殺敵方要員的事件層出不窮。

《神劍闖江湖》即是以此作故事背景。故事主角「緋村劍心」身屬「尊王攘夷」陣營的頭號殺手，人人聞之色變的千人斬「拔刀齋」，專門暗殺擁幕府派政治要員。最後幡然悔悟，欲過平淡生活卻不可得。

劇中的「緋村劍心」只是虛構人物。

至於卡通裡的另一位劍法超羣的要角「齋藤一」（電影版由「江口洋介」所飾），就是不折不扣的歷史真實人物，擔任「新撰組」三番隊隊長。

「新撰組」即是主張「公武合體」的擁幕派。

幕末時期，京都治安亂成一團，德川幕府下令「會津藩藩主...

After coming to this area 4 times for the autumn leaves, I decided to finally visit this temple too. I always thought that 1000 Yen was too expensive and indeed, I don't think it's worth it. Firstly, you can actually visit the temple without paying. The 1000 Yen fee is for the 3 rooms with fusama-e (including the tigers one) and the garden. The gardens and rooms are nice but I have seen better at many other temples in Kyoto for only 500 Yen (or free!). I personally do not recommend it...